Missions

Jabez Elementary and Junior High School and Trauma Counceling Center

Jabez Elementary and Junior High School and Trauma Counseling Center was envisioned and born out of the historical events that impacted the lives of all Liberians, especially the Gompa Community, its environs, my family and me.” Rev. Jakes Voker. Liberia was founded by the American Colonization Society 1816 to repatriate and resettle the Freed African Slaves and in 1947 became an independent country.

The country has suffered many devastating political unrests. The final blow was in 1989 with a full blown civil war amongst six splinted rebel groups. That lasted until 2004 when the United Nations with the backing of President Bush intervened. Rev. Jakes’ family was gravely affected and are survivors of the brutal rebel war which saw a loss of life, flogging, and the burning of their homes. Twelve years into the 15 year war, Rev. Jakes was blessed with a half-tuition scholarship. He came to the United States alone. Eventually his family was reunited with him in the United States. His comment ,”Why such undeserved blessings!” “After prayerful discernments, their response was, “Blessed to be a blessing”. How would they be a blessing? The answer was through “a Christ-centered education and trauma counseling ministry”.

In November of 2006, Rev. and Mrs. Voker purchased six lots of land. In 2009 a ground-breaking ceremony was held for the building of 8 classrooms, a small auditorium, a mini-library, two offices, a half bathroom, and teachers’ lounge. Congregations and individuals had caught the dream. Rev. Jakes and his family wanted the school to be a stable, consistent, Christ- filled, on-going resource to the community. In order for that to happen a group of interested individuals met to develop biblically based-Christ-centered Foundational Statements including theological rationale, value-owners and community need and an extensive set of Board Policies. Vision and mission, targets, and milestones were established.

All of this is needed to keep stability and consistency. A USA Board of Directions and a local school board and parent group were established. They serve to establish strategic directions and initiatives and do the day to day work of the school. The school’s growth has been amazing. The school opened in 2013 with 87 students, The need was great as was expected. The space had soon been outgrown. In 2016-17 Jabez Student government designed a school flag and they also made a request for the building of a Peace Hut. The Peace Hut is derived from the Palava Hut from ancient times. Here is where citizens of Liberia sat and discussed pertinent matters of welfare for their community. And as we so often learn, God provides.

A memorial gift by the family of Ken Walenski furnished the funds. The addition of a larger auditorium and three new classrooms in 2018 made the buildings adequate for the population. The auditorium was not complete, yet usable for the 2018 closing program. At the same time, another request, the building of a Peace Hut, came through student government. The Peace Hut is derived from the Palava Hut from ancient times. Here is where citizens of Liberia sat and discussed pertinent matters of welfare for their community. And as we so often learn, God provides.

The family of Ken Walenski, a long time friend of Jabez, furnished the funds to build the Peace Hut in his memory. The concept of the Peace Hut is a valuable resource for the school and the community. In 2020 we began development in four areas. The areas are an improved computer Lab, an agriculture program through our start-up of an oil palm farm, a sewing program thanks to donations by the Brothers sewing machine company and beginning research on a food program at the school. Watch the bulletin inserts in January to see the latest developments.